Baccarat Game With Insurance Side Bet

ABSTRACT

A method of playing a baccarat game having an additional insurance offering step providing an opportunity to place an insurance wager before a player hand and a banker hand are dealt. Any insurance wager placed by a participant is resolved according to a plurality of insurance side bet rules including: paying out any insurance wager in response to a primary wager being placed on a player win and an ultimate banker victory resulting from the banker hand score of nine, paying out any insurance wager in response to the primary wager being placed on a banker win and an ultimate player victory resulting from the player hand score of nine, and a push of any insurance wager in response to a tie resulting from the player hand score and the banker hand score of nine.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/586,264, filed Jan. 13, 2012, theentirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to gaming and casino games, andmore specifically to methods of playing the baccarat card game withnovel insurance side betting provisions. These methods are adaptable toboth standard and “mini or midi-baccarat” games as well as to computeror electronic games.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The game of baccarat is well known in the gaming industry. It isattractive to casinos and game participants alike because baccarat isbased on simple concepts and procedures that may be readily understood.In conventional baccarat or mini baccarat, participants place primarywagers on either a player win or a banker win. Next, conventionalplaying cards are dealt into at least two hands—a player hand and abanker hand. Initially, only two cards are dealt to each hand. Baccaratdealing rules then dictate whether the two card hands, also known asnatural hands, stand or take a hit to add a third card. According tobaccarat scoring rules, the cards comprising a hand are scored based ontheir face value. Ace is assigned the value of 1 while 10, Jack, Queen,and King are all assigned the value of 0. A player win or a banker winis determined by adding the scores of each card in the player hand andthe banker hand with the highest scoring hand being victorious. When thescore totals of the player hand and the banker hand are summed, anydigit of the total score in the tens position is truncated. For example,where the total score of a hand is 16, the 1 in the tens position istruncated and the score of the hand is 6. Accordingly, the highestpossible score of any hand in baccarat is 9. However, the chances aresmall of a hand being dealt having a score of 9. Baccarat payout rulesprovide for a payout on primary wagers where the participant correctlyguesses the final outcome—a player win or a banker win. The rules alsospecify the payout in the event of a tie between the player hand and thebanker hand.

As a result of these rules, in baccarat the participants generally havelittle or no control over the outcome of the game and are helpless tomake any kind of a decision that would improve their odds of winning.This distinguishes conventional baccarat games from other competingtable games such a blackjack. In an attempt to make baccarat moreattractive to participants and to give participants the ability to makemore wagering decisions, several baccarat variant games have beenintroduced that include an optional side bet or side wager. Some ofthese baccarat variants provide a bonus type side bet that pays out uponthe happening of certain natural hand totals. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,789,801 to Snow provides for a baccarat side wager game including abonus type side bet having a variable payout based on a natural 8 or 9being dealt on the first two cards or based on the magnitude of thedifference between the player hand score and the dealer hand score.Accordingly, such bonus type side bets payout regardless of the outcomeof the participant's primary wager.

Other baccarat variants provide an insurance type side bet that pays outin the event the hand wagered on by the participant loses. For example,U.S. Pat. No. 7,621,533 to Kenny provides for an insurance side bet whencertain two card hand totals arise. More specifically, the insuranceside bet is offered after two cards have been dealt to the player handand the banker hand. Both two card hands are turned and the insurancewager is offered when the hand to be insured has a two card totalranging from 6 to 9. If made, the insurance side bet is then paid out inthe event the hand that was insured losses. Accordingly, such insurancetype side bets payout only when the insured hand losses.

Despite these existing baccarat variants, there is a need for a baccaratgame offering an insurance wager before any cards have been dealt thatprotects the hand bet on by the participant from a loss against anopposing hand having a total score of 9. Such a baccarat game wouldincrease the excitement of game play and avoid the unnecessary additionof rules dictating when an insurance wager is offered.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is for a method of playing a baccarat game havingat least one participant. The method includes a primary wagering stepwherein the at least one participant places a primary wager on a playerwin or a banker win. An insurance offering step is provided giving theat least one participant an opportunity to place an insurance wager solong as the at least one participant places a primary wager. In responseto completion of the primary wagering step and the insurance offeringstep, a plurality of playing cards are dealt into a player hand and abanker hand according to baccarat dealer rules. The player hand and thebanker hand are scored according to baccarat scoring rules to determinewhether there has been a player victory, a banker victory, or a tie. Theprimary wager placed by the at least one participant is resolvedaccording to baccarat payout rules. Any insurance wager placed by the atleast one participant is resolved according to a plurality of insuranceside bet rules. The plurality of insurance side bet rules include payingout any insurance wager placed by the at least one participant atpredetermined odds in response to the primary wager being placed by theat least one participant on the player win and in response to a bankervictory resulting from the banker hand totaling a score of nine.Similarly, the plurality of insurance side bet rules include paying outany insurance wager placed by the at least one participant atpredetermined odds in response to the primary wager being placed by theat least one participant on the banker win and in response to a playervictory resulting from the player hand totaling a score of nine. Inaddition, the plurality of insurance side bet rules provide for a pushof any insurance wager placed by the at least one participant inresponse to a tie resulting from the player hand and the banker handeach totaling a score of nine.

The present invention further provides the method of playing thebaccarat game described herein on a playing surface specificallytailored to the game. The method described in the paragraph above isadapted to include presenting a playing surface with a player winbetting position, a banker win betting position, and an insurancebetting position. During the primary wagering step, the at least oneparticipant places a primary wager on the player win betting position tobet on a player win or on the banker win betting position to bet on abanker win. During the insurance offering step, the at least oneparticipant is given an opportunity to electively place an insurancewager on the insurance betting position.

Accordingly, the present invention offers several advantages over priorart baccarat games. First, the baccarat game of the present inventionoffers an insurance wager before any cards have been dealt. By offeringthe insurance wager at this early stage in the baccarat game,participants are quickly drawn into the action of the game, increasingexcitement from the very beginning of play. Second, the insurance wageris always offered regardless of the cards dealt to the player and bankerhands. This keeps the insurance wager rules simple and avoids theunnecessary addition of rules dictating when an insurance wager isoffered. Thus, the participant friendly environment of the baccarat gameis preserved and novice participants need not worry about when aninsurance wager can be placed. Third, the insurance wager is unique inthat it protects the hand bet on by the participant from a loss againstan opposing hand having a total score of 9. This is attractive asparticipants can hedge against a total loss resulting from a lowpercentage loss against a hand having a total score of 9.

In addition to these advantages, the insurance side bet rules of thepresent invention produce a new result by changing the overall odds ofthe baccarat game. These odds are attractive to the participant and thehouse alike depending on the hands that are dealt and are unique to thepresent invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,as the same becomes better understood by reference to the followingdetailed description when considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an top elevation view of an exemplary playing surface of aneight (8) seat baccarat table showing the general layout and provisionsfor the betting methods of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

A method of playing a baccarat game having at least one participant isprovided and described herein. There are a number of variations of thebasic game of baccarat, and the game is sometimes referred to in itsvarious forms as baccarat-chemin-de-fer, baccarat a deux tableaux,baccarat banquet, Nevada baccarat, mini-baccarat, and the like. Therules may vary slightly, and rules may vary from casino to casino, butthe underlying game is the same. The underlying game is a competitionbetween the hands of two players, usually referred to as the banker andthe player. All participants at the table can place wagers, essentiallybetting on whether the player or the banker will ultimately win theround.

It should be appreciated that the methods disclosed herein may beimplemented in any version of the baccarat game. It should also be notedthat the term “participant,” as used herein, refers to any person makinga wager in the baccarat game. In most forms of the baccarat game, thenumber of participants is limited to the number of seats arranged aboutthe playing surface or table. For example, FIG. 1 shows an exemplaryplaying surface of an eight seat baccarat table.

The method of the present invention includes a primary wagering stepwherein the at least one participant places a primary wager on either aplayer win or a banker win. The method also includes an insuranceoffering step providing the at least one participant with an opportunityto place an insurance wager so long as the at least one participantplaces a primary wager. Both the primary wagering step and the insuranceoffering step are performed before any cards have been dealt for thegiven round of play. In response to completion of the primary wageringstep and the insurance offering step, a plurality of playing cards aredealt into a player hand and a banker hand according to baccarat dealerrules.

Baccarat dealer rules may be subject to local variation but may begenerally described as follows. Only two hands are dealt in play, onehand being the banker hand and the other hand being the player hand.Typically, cards are dealt from an apparatus known as a shoe. The shoeholds multiple decks of convention playing cards. Each deck has 52 cardsof four suits. Often, the shoe holds six to eight decks of shuffledcards and is configured such that only one card may be drawn from theshoe at a time. Depending on the version of Baccarat being played, theshoe may be passed around the table with the participants taking turnsdealing the cards. However, due to security concerns, this courtesy isoften substituted with a stationary shoe and a non-participant casinoemployee, or dealer, dealing the cards from the shoe. Typically, thefirst and third cards drawn from the shoe are dealt to the player handand the second and fourth cards are dealt to the banker hand. All cardsare dealt face down. The dealer positions the hands in the appropriatepositions of the playing surface and turns the hands for viewing.

Once two cards have been dealt to each of the hands, a number of rulesdictate whether each hand will stand at two cards or take a hit to add athird card. These rules may include the following. Where the player'stwo card hand has a score total ranging from 0 to 5 according to thebaccarat scoring rules (explained below), then the player hand takes ahit to add a third card. Where the player's two card hand has a scoretotal ranging from 6 to 9, the player hand must stand. When the playerhand stands (does not draw an additional third card), the rules of playfor the banker hand are as follows. Where the banker's two card hand hasa score total ranging from 0 to 5, then the banker hand takes a hit toadd a third card. Where the banker's two card hand has a score totalranging from 6 to 9, the banker hand must stand. However, when theplayer hand draws a third card, the rules of play for the banker handare alternatively as follows. Where the banker's two card hand has ascore total ranging from 0 to 2, then the banker hand takes a hit to adda third card. Where the banker's two card hand has a score total rangingfrom 3 to 9, then the banker hand must stand.

The method includes the step of scoring the player hand and the bankerhand according to baccarat scoring rules to determine player victory orbanker victory or tie. It should be appreciated that player victory,banker victory, and tie are the only possible outcomes according tobaccarat scoring rules. These rules may vary but can be summarized asfollows. Baccarat scoring rules are premised on determining how closethe point total of a hand is to a score of 9. Point totals are based onthe added face value of the cards, with the values of the cards beingAce=1, 2=2, 3=3, 4=4, 5=5, 6=6, 7=7, 8=8, 9=9, 10=0, Jack=0, Queen=0,and King=0. Only the last digit of the sum of the point values of thecards is operative in the play of the game. For example, a total valueof the cards would be read as 10=0, 11=1, 12=2, 13=3, 14=4, 15=5, 16=6,17=7, 18=8, 19=9, 20=0, etc. In other words, the digit in the tensposition is truncated or dropped from the sum. Accordingly, the highestpossible score of any hand in baccarat is 9 and it is not possible to“bust” or exceed the score of 9. Two card hands with a point total of 8or 9 are known as “naturals” or a “natural 8” or a “natural 9.”

The method further includes the step of resolving the primary wagerplaced by the at least one participant according to baccarat payoutrules. Baccarat payout rules include paying out any primary wager on theplayer win in response to a player victory and paying out any primarywager on the banker win in response to a banker victory. In other words,baccarat payout rules provide for a payout on primary wagers where theparticipant correctly guesses the final outcome—a player victory or abanker victory. Payout on the primary wager is typically at 1 to 1 odds(i.e. “even money”). Player and banker victories are determined byadding the scores of each card in the player hand and the banker hand.The hand having the highest score total is declared the victor, or inother words, the winner. Baccarat payout rules may further include apush with no payout or loss of any primary wager in response to a tie.Alternatively, baccarat payout rules may include a loss of any primarywager in response to a tie. In another alternative, where a tie resultsfrom a natural eight or natural nine and a three card hand of equalscore, the natural hand may be declared as the victor. A commission isusually extracted from the winning primary wagers on the banker hand(e.g., 5% of the winning primary wager on the banker hand), because thebanker hand usually wins more often than the player hand. The bankerhand has a slight statistical advantage over the player's hand. Nocommissions are paid to the house when the participant places a primarywager on the player hand. There may also be a separate wager placed onthe occurrence that the banker hand and the player hand will tie.Depending on the odds provided by the house, a payout for such a tiewager may equal 8 to 1 odds.

The method also includes resolving any insurance wager placed by the atleast one participant according to a plurality of insurance side betrules. The insurance side bet rules include paying out any insurancewager placed by the at least one participant at predetermined odds inresponse to the primary wager being placed by the at least oneparticipant on the player win and in response to a banker victoryresulting from the banker hand totaling a score of nine. Similarly, theinsurance side bet rules include paying out any insurance wager placedby the at least one participant at predetermined odds in response to theprimary wager being placed by the at least one participant on the bankerwin and in response to a player victory resulting from the player handtotaling a score of nine. In other words, the insurance wager is paidout when the participant loses on the primary wager to an opposing handhaving a total score of nine. The insurance side bet rules may furtherinclude a push of any insurance wager placed by the at least oneparticipant in response to a tie resulting from the player hand and thebanker hand each totaling a score of nine.

In accordance with the insurance side bet rules set forth above, lossesof the insurance wager are similarly determined. The insurance side betrules include a loss of any insurance wager placed by the at least oneparticipant in response to the primary wager being placed by the atleast one participant on the player win and in response to any playervictory. Similarly, the insurance side bet rules include a loss of anyinsurance wager placed by the at least one participant in response tothe primary wager being placed by the at least one participant on thebanker win and in response to any banker victory. In other words, theparticipant losses the insurance wager when the participant's primarywager is victorious. The predetermined odds at which the insurance wageris paid out may vary in accordance with the goals of the house. Forexample, the predetermined odds of the insurance wager may equal 6 to 1odds or alternatively 7 to 1 odds. It should also be appreciated thatthe insurance offering step of the present invention and the insuranceside bet rules do not otherwise affect the play of the baccarat game.The game is still played in accordance with traditional baccaratdealing, scoring, and payout rules.

A method of playing a baccarat table game having at least oneparticipant is also provided and described herein. Referring to FIG. 1,this method further provides for the use of a playing surface 20specifically tailored to the baccarat game of the present invention,which was described above. Specifically, the method provides presentinga playing surface 20 including a player win betting position 22, abanker win betting position 24, and an insurance betting position 26.The method includes a primary wagering step wherein the at least oneparticipant places a primary wager on the player win betting position 22or the banker win betting position 24. The method further includes aninsurance offering step providing the at least one participant with anopportunity to place an insurance wager on the insurance bettingposition 26, provided the at least one participant places a primarywager. In response to completion of the primary wagering step and theinsurance offering step, a plurality of playing cards are dealt into aplayer hand and a banker hand according to baccarat dealer rules. Todetermine whether there has been a player victory, a banker victory, ora tie, the player hand and the banker hand are scored according tobaccarat scoring rules. The primary wager placed by the at least oneparticipant is resolved according to baccarat payout rules. It should beappreciated that the baccarat dealer rules, the baccarat scoring rules,and the baccarat payout rules are the same as those previouslydescribed. In addition, the baccarat payout rules include paying out anyprimary wager placed on the player win betting position 22 in responseto a player victory and paying out any primary wager placed on thebanker win betting position 24 in response to a banker victory.

The method further includes resolving any insurance wager placed by theat least one participant according to a plurality of insurance side betrules. The insurance side bet rules include paying out any insurancewager placed by the at least one participant on the insurance bettingposition 26 at predetermined odds in response to the primary wager beingplaced by the at least one participant on the player win bettingposition 22 and in response to a banker victory resulting from thebanker hand totaling a score of nine. Along these lines, the insuranceside bet rules include paying out any insurance wager placed by the atleast one participant on the insurance betting position 26 atpredetermined odds in response to the primary wager being placed by theat least one participant on the banker win betting position 24 and inresponse to a player victory resulting from the player hand totaling ascore of nine. In other words, the insurance wager is paid out when theparticipant loses on the primary wager to an opposing hand having atotal score of nine. The insurance side bet rules may further provide apush of any insurance wager placed by the at least one participant onthe insurance betting position 26 in response to a tie resulting fromthe player hand and the banker hand each totaling a score of nine. Asbefore, the predetermined odds for the insurance wager payout may be setby the house, such as at 6 to 1 odds or alternatively 7 to 1 odds.

Losses of the insurance wager are similarly determined. Accordingly, theinsurance side bet rules include a loss of any insurance wager placed bythe at least one participant on the insurance betting position 26 inresponse to the primary wager being placed by the at least oneparticipant on the player win betting position 22 and in response to anyplayer victory. Similarly, insurance side bet rules include a loss ofany insurance wager placed by the at least one participant on theinsurance betting position 26 in response to the primary wager beingplaced by the at least one participant on the banker win bettingposition 24 and in response to any banker victory. In other words, theparticipant losses the insurance wager when the participant's primarywager is victorious.

In addition to providing the advantages previously noted, the methods ofthe present invention produce a new result by changing the overall oddsof the baccarat game. These odds are unique to present invention and maybe described as follows.

Baccarat Insurance Side Wager

9 Point Tie: Occurrence Rates by Number of Cards for Eight Decks Total 2Cards Total 9-9 0.008971 0.008971 Banker - 9 Point Totals: OccurrenceRates by Number of Cards for Eight Decks Total 2 Cards 3 Cards Total 90.094903 0.033538 0.128440 9-9 Tie Must be subtracted from 9 totals−0.008971 9 Point Totals - Banker (without Ties) 0.119469

In accordance with the results indicated in the tables shown above, theoccurrence rate for a 9 point total for the banker is 0.119469,excluding ties. Additionally, the occurrence rate for the bankerinsurance wager losing is 0.880531. The occurrence rate for a 9-9 tie is0.008971 and the occurrence rate for the banker insurance wager losswhere 9-9 is a push is 0.871560.

Player - 9 Point Totals: Occurrence Rates by Number of Cards for EightDecks Total 2 Cards 3 Cards Total 9 0.094903 0.038784 0.133687 9-9 TieMust be subtracted from 9 totals −0.008971 9 Point Totals - Player(without Ties) 0.124716

In accordance with the results indicated in the table shown above, theoccurrence rate for a 9 point total for the player is 0.124716,excluding ties. Additionally, the occurrence rate for the playerinsurance wager losing is 0.875284. The occurrence rate for a 9-9 tie is0.008971 and the occurrence rate for the Banker insurance wager losswhere 9-9 is a push is 0.866313.

7 to 1—Pay Tables (Where a 9-9 Tie is a Loss)

Player Hand Total Probability Payout Contribution Hit % 9 Pt. Total0.124716   7 to 1 99.7728%     12.4716% 9-9 Tie 0.008971 −1 to 1 0% 0.8971% Anything Else 0.866313 −1 to 1 0% 87.5284% Totals 1    100%

In accordance with the results indicated in the table shown above, thefixed pays for the player are 99.7728%. The hit frequency is 12.4716%and the hit ratio is 1 in 8.02. The house advantage is 0.23%.

Banker Hand Total Probability Payout Contribution Hit % 9 Pt. Total0.119469   7 to 1 95.5752%     11.9469% 9-9 Tie 0.008971 −1 to 1 0% 0.8971% Anything Else 0.871560 −1 to 1 0% 87.5284% Totals 1    100%

In accordance with the results indicated in the table shown above, thefixed pays for the banker are 95.5752%. The hit frequency is 11.9469%and the hit ratio is 1 in 8.37. The house advantage is 4.42%.

6 to 1—Pay Tables (Where a 9-9 Tie is a Loss)

Player Hand Total Probability Payout Contribution Hit % 9 Pt. Total0.124716   6 to 1 87.3012%     12.4716% 9-9 Tie 0.008971 −1 to 1 0% 0.8971% Anything Else 0.866313 −1 to 1 0% 87.5284% Totals 1    100%

In accordance with the results indicated in the table shown above, thefixed pays for the player are 87.3012%. The hit frequency is 12.4716%and the hit ratio is 1 in 8.02. The house advantage is 12.70%.

Banker Hand Total Probability Payout Contribution Hit % 9 Pt. Total0.119469   6 to 1 87.3012%     11.9469% 9-9 Tie 0.008971 −1 to 1 0% 0.8971% Anything Else 0.871560 −1 to 1 0% 87.5284% Totals 1    100%

In accordance with the results indicated in the table shown above, thefixed pays for the banker are 87.3012%. The hit frequency is 11.9469%and the hit ratio is 1 in 8.37. The house advantage is 16.37%.

6 to 1—Pay Tables (Where a 9-9 Tie is a Push)

Player Hand Total Probability Payout Contribution Hit % 9 Pt. Total0.124716   6 to 1 87.3012% 12.4716% 9-9 Tie 0.008971 Push  0.8971% 0.8971% Anything Else 0.866313 −1 to 1     0% 86.6313% Totals 1    100%

In accordance with the results indicated in the table shown above, thefixed pays for the player are 88.1983%. The hit frequency is 12.4716%and the hit ratio is 1 in 8.02. The house advantage is 11.80%.

Banker Hand Total Probability Payout Contribution Hit % 9 Pt. Total0.119469   6 to 1 87.3012% 11.9469% 9-9 Tie 0.008971 Push  0.8971% 0.8971% Anything Else 0.871560 −1 to 1     0% 87.1560% Totals 1    100%

In accordance with the results indicated in the table shown above, thefixed pays for the banker are 84.5254%. The hit frequency is 11.9469%and the hit ratio is 1 in 8.37. The house advantage is 15.47%.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, these odds areattractive to the participant and the house alike depending on the handsthat are dealt and differ from the odds provided by prior art baccaratgames.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present inventionare possible in light of the above teachings and may be practicedotherwise than as specifically described while within the scope of theappended claims. These antecedent recitations should be interpreted tocover any combination in which the inventive novelty exercises itsutility.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a baccarat game having atleast one participant comprising; a primary wagering step wherein the atleast one participant places a primary wager on a player win or a bankerwin, an insurance offering step providing the at least one participantwith an opportunity to place an insurance wager provided the at leastone participant places a primary wager, dealing a plurality of playingcards into a player hand and a banker hand according to baccarat dealerrules in response to completion of said primary wagering step and saidinsurance offering step, scoring the player hand and the banker handaccording to baccarat scoring rules to determine player victory orbanker victory or tie, resolving the primary wager placed by the atleast one participant according to baccarat payout rules, and resolvingany insurance wager placed by the at least one participant according toa plurality of insurance side bet rules, said plurality of insuranceside bet rules including paying out any insurance wager placed by the atleast one participant at predetermined odds in response to the primarywager being placed by the at least one participant on the player win andin response to a banker victory resulting from the banker hand totalinga score of nine, said plurality of insurance side bet rules includingpaying out any insurance wager placed by the at least one participant atpredetermined odds in response to the primary wager being placed by theat least one participant on the banker win and in response to a playervictory resulting from the player hand totaling a score of nine, andsaid plurality of insurance side bet rules including a push of anyinsurance wager placed by the at least one participant in response to atie resulting from the player hand and the banker hand each totaling ascore of nine.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality ofinsurance side bet rules include a loss of any insurance wager placed bythe at least one participant in response to the primary wager beingplaced by the at least one participant on the player win and in responseto any player victory.
 3. The method of claim 2 wherein said pluralityof insurance side bet rules include a loss of any insurance wager placedby the at least one participant in response to the primary wager beingplaced by the at least one participant on the banker win and in responseto any banker victory.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein the player handand the banker hand are scored based on either two card hand totals orthree card hand totals in accordance with baccarat scoring rules.
 5. Themethod of claim 4 wherein said baccarat payout rules include paying outany primary wager on the player win in response to a player victory andpaying out any primary wager on the banker win in response to a bankervictory.
 6. The method of claim 5 wherein said baccarat payout rulesinclude a push with no pay out or loss of any primary wager in responseto a tie.
 7. The method of claim 5 wherein said baccarat payout rulesinclude a loss of any primary wager in response to a tie.
 8. The methodof claim 3 wherein said predetermined odds are six to one odds.
 9. Amethod of playing a baccarat table game having at least one participantcomprising; presenting a playing surface including a player win bettingposition and a banker win betting position and an insurance bettingposition, a primary wagering step wherein the at least one participantplaces a primary wager on the player win betting position or the bankerwin betting position, an insurance offering step providing the at leastone participant with an opportunity to place an insurance wager on theinsurance betting position provided the at least one participant placesa primary wager, dealing a plurality of playing cards into a player handand a banker hand according to baccarat dealer rules in response tocompletion of said primary wagering step and said insurance offeringstep, scoring the player hand and the banker hand according to baccaratscoring rules to determine player victory or banker victory or tie,resolving the primary wager placed by the at least one participantaccording to baccarat payout rules, and resolving any insurance wagerplaced by the at least one participant according to a plurality ofinsurance side bet rules, said plurality of insurance side bet rulesincluding paying out any insurance wager placed by the at least oneparticipant on the insurance betting position at predetermined odds inresponse to the primary wager being placed by the at least oneparticipant on the player win betting position and in response to abanker victory resulting from the banker hand totaling a score of nine,said plurality of insurance side bet rules including paying out anyinsurance wager placed by the at least one participant on the insurancebetting position at predetermined odds in response to the primary wagerbeing placed by the at least one participant on the banker win bettingposition and in response to a player victory resulting from the playerhand totaling a score of nine, and said plurality of insurance side betrules including a push of any insurance wager placed by the at least oneparticipant on the insurance betting position in response to a tieresulting from the player hand and the banker hand each totaling a scoreof nine.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein said plurality of insuranceside bet rules include a loss of any insurance wager placed by the atleast one participant on the insurance betting position in response tothe primary wager being placed by the at least one participant on theplayer win betting position and in response to any player victory. 11.The method of claim 10 wherein said plurality of insurance side betrules include a loss of any insurance wager placed by the at least oneparticipant on the insurance betting position in response to the primarywager being placed by the at least one participant on the banker winbetting position and in response to any banker victory.
 12. The methodof claim 11 wherein the player hand and the banker hand are scored basedon either two card hand totals or three card hand totals in accordancewith baccarat scoring rules.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein saidbaccarat payout rules include paying out any primary wager placed on theplayer win betting position in response to a player victory and payingout any primary wager placed on the banker win betting position inresponse to a banker victory.
 14. The method of claim 13 wherein saidbaccarat payout rules include a push with no pay out or loss of anyprimary wager in response to a tie.
 15. The method of claim 13 whereinsaid baccarat payout rules include a loss of any primary wager inresponse to a tie.
 16. The method of claim 11 wherein said predeterminedodds are six to one odds.